Critic Reviews

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89

Wonderwallweb.com

We have no doubt that Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood is set to be the hit of the summer, it offers a great single player experience and this will also be backed up by a fantastic multiplayer mode. If you love your shooters then you better get ready for one hell of a showdown.

Frankly the western has always been under represented in the current generation of video games. I mean World War II has sixty five thousand titles per year released and maybe one a year we get a video game from the Old West. Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood is a fantastic addition to any library and a must own (or at least must play) for anyone with a soft spot in their heart for the old Clint Eastwood/John Wayne westerns like mine. At the end of the day this is a slightly repetitive game that provides some serious fun and a very good story right out of western lore.

And that film comparison is apt, because this game's strong narrative and high production values make it an almost cinematic experience. Add to that its exciting gameplay, and Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood becomes the ideal sequel--one that is an improvement over the original in almost every way. Though the game is marred by its short length and weak enemy AI, those looking for a fun and different shooter experience shouldn't have any hesitation about biting the bullet and taking a ride with the McCalls.

Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood is a great realisation of the western genre both in single player and online in multiplayer. It truly is an authentic western experience that builds on the foundations of its predecessor and will be lapped up by western fans worldwide. If it wasn't for its lack of single player longevity and its few technical hang ups, some of which hamper the gameplay, the game would easily be shooting in the 80's.

As a prequel, Bound in Blood does a good job of presenting the characters, their storylines and what eventually leads back into the franchise history. It also packs in a ton of fast action, loads of explosions and a heavy dose of duels against opponents that want to take you to Boot Hill. Unfortunately, the repetitive nature of the missions, coupled with some technical issues, really keeps this title from standing out more.

Despite its few issues - including some pretty severe tearing - Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood manages to be a thoroughly well executed and polished prequel that pushes all the right buttons. A dynamic cover system makes shootouts enjoyably tactical and the action remains quick and consistent throughout. What's more, it's a massive improvement over the comparatively rough first game, especially where the visuals are concerned. Gorgeous, grand yet inaccessible vistas stretching far into the distance may have us pining for the freedom of the forthcoming Red Dead Redemption, but Bound in Blood will more than satisfy your yearnings for a Western-flavoured yarn and as such is a more than deserving candidate for your gold doubloons.

After stumbling through the campaign and enjoying some matches online, it's possible to see where the momentum came from to make this sequel. Though the Wild West may not be filled with flashy gadgets or big-boom weaponry, the setting is a brilliant change of pace for first-person shooters. It may have its hiccups with some technical and mechanical faults, but Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood shows that shooters don't need the above, and can thrive with a well-written script and thoughtfully paced action.

I’m not sure what was in the peace pipe they were smoking when they decided to make this sequel. Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood is a story about three brothers, two of which are on a quest for treasure, adventure, and anything else they can do to make sure the story is as “wild west cliche” as possible. Don’t get me wrong, the game had some pretty good ideas wrapped up in there somewhere. Stunning graphics, responsive and tight controls, and decent voice acting all make this game a rent, but certainly not worth your pesos.

Even if you don't cotton to the multiplayer component, Bound in Blood is an entertaining tale of greed, betrayal, and bloodshed in the Wild West. It's rare that a first-person shooter's best quality is its story and while that might be a bit of a backhanded compliment, the fact is that Techland delivered an experience comparable to the Western films that the development team obviously adore.

The bottom line is that Bound in Blood wisely sticks to the formula. But for all the good that does it also forces the game to live in the shadow of its predecessor. This is an entertaining shooter with many good points, but nothing's particularly outstanding or original here. Members of the Old West FPS posse should snap it up faster than Doc Holliday could clear leather, but city-slicker varmints oughta just wait till it hits the bargain bin at the local general store.